a) Offers undergraduate research opportunities supervised by faculty;
b) Encourages a peer support network that reinforces collaborative learning and fosters collegial relationships;
c) Organizes activities that develop effective communication and analytical skills;
d) Provides academic, career and graduate school advising; and
e) Offers assistance with the process of applying to graduate school (i.e., GRE preparation, writing a statement of purpose, obtaining applications for financial aid and fellowship information).

ELIGIBILITY

Participants of the Faculty Mentor Program are selected on a competitive basis. Eligible individuals are:

a) EOP students in the arts, humanities and social science majors;
b) Juniors or seniors (priority given to juniors) in good academic standing; and
c) Students who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a graduate degree, and interest in an academic career.

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Faculty Mentor Program is designed to support undergraduate fellows research experience through: a mentoring relationship with faculty members, writing and analytical skills development and assistance on the graduate application process. Students are matched with a faculty sponsor who serves as a mentor.

1.  MENTORING RELATIONSHIP: Faculty mentors and students develop a research agreement about research activities for the Winter and Spring 2007 quarters. The FMP Coordinator works with students in identifying potential faculty mentors. Most faculty prefer to work with students who have taken one or two of their courses. So the first place to look for a potential mentor is in your UCSC course experiences. Once a match is agreed upon, students and mentors identify a research project that will engage the students for the winter and spring quarters .

Research projects may take one of three forms:

a) Students work as a research assistant to an on-going, faculty sponsored research project;
b) Students design a “satellite” research project (i.e., a project that grows out of or extends the faculty mentor’s past or current work); or
c) Students initiate an individual research project that is sponsored by a faculty mentor who agrees to supervise the individual project.

Although research projects can take many forms, it is important to recognize that students must identify projects that are mutually agreeable to the faculty sponsor. The options above serve only as guides to the forms mentoring relationships can take. Students and faculty members are encouraged to explore research activity that can support a “win-win” relationship. One where both parties benefit from the relationship and the research work conducted.

FMP time commitments include a bi-weekly seminar and project commitments that include 8-10 hours during the winter quarter and 10-15 hour during the spring quarter. These time commitments are negotiated with the faculty mentor according to the research project demands.

FMP Undergraduate Research Fellows and Mentors are expected to meet at least one hour per week to review the research agenda as a means of monitoring and evaluating weekly progress. These meetings include feedback on the student’s research activities, assisting students with research skill development, and advising on graduate school opportunities within the students’ academic discipline.

2.  UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR

Students enroll in a 5-unit upper-division independent studies course both Winter and Spring 2007. The seminar is structured to empower undergraduates to take the education experience into their own hands and make the academy work towards their personal visions as they begin to prepare for graduate studies.

WINTER/SPRING QUARTERS: The seminar meets twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:00 - 3:45 PM and focuses on critical thinking, reading, and research skills. Sessions are dedicated towards preparing students for the graduate application process, the process of research, intensive research skills building through knowledge of libraries and computer technology, and engagement with faculty and graduate students on critical research topics within the arts, humanities and social science disciplines. Key to successful research skill development is student interaction with library staff, recommended readings drawn from UCSC faculty, and critical discussion of student research and writing projects.

Designed to complement student’s hands on undergraduate research experience, this seminar will include:

• LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILL DEVELOPMENT: Organized by Annette Marines, McHenry Librarian, students will receive training in fundamental and advanced research tools including Melvyl, CD Roms, Government Documents and using the World Wide Web. FMP students will be matched with an individual Librarian Mentor who will provide more specific support related the use of project-and discipline-specific skills and tools. This arrange ment will encourage Professors and Librarians to collaborate in effectively training undergraduate researchers. The matching of students to a specific librarian will occur in January, and the relationship will be maintained throughout the student’s participation in the FMP program.

• GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION WORKSHOPS: This space is intended to be open to the interests and concerns of FMP participants as they begin to grapple with some of the issues involved in the graduate school process. The program is designed to guide you through this process and these open forums are the spaces where you gain information, resources and practical tips. Workshop topics Include:

• Graduate School: The Application Process
• Writing an Effective Statement of Purpose
• Paper Presentation and Conference Skills Building
• The Graduate Record Exam (diagnostic exam and overview)
• Financing a Graduate Education: Applying for Fellowships
• Reading Between the Lines: Graduate Student Experiences
• Effective Strategies for Internet Research and Resources

• RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS IN THE ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE:
Faculty and Graduate students will be invited to participate as guest presenters. The focus is introducing students to the critical issues within research. These sessions will provide students with the varied approaches and interdisciplinary nature or research options. As role models in the process, guest speakers will discuss research topic choices, methodology decisions, and their unique contributions to the discipline. The focus will be on presenting the formats and internal logic, which govern research in graduate school and advanced academic settings. These sessions with faculty and graduate students will also support students understanding the conventions of academic writing within the various disciplines of the arts, humanities and social science disciplines.

•UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM: At the culmination of the 2006-2007 Faculty Mentor Program all FMP participants will present the findings of their research to the larger university community at an Undergraduate.

FACULTY PARTICIPATION

The participation of UC Faculty is central to the success of the program and our students. Undergraduates learn about the nature of research and academic professions directly from faculty. Faculty participates in the Program by introducing students to the process of academic research, by mentoring. Mentors incorporate students as research assistants on their existing research projects (in which case the services of post doctoral and graduate students might also be enlisted) or by sponsoring students independent research projects.

Faculty interested in the program, but who are unable to make a long-term commitment of two quarters can still be involved by participating as a guest speaker in the research writing course or the workshop series. Faculty surveys will be mailed in the Fall Quarter exploring the availability of research placements and faculty interest in participating as mentors or as guest speakers.

Because students and faculty negotiate expectations for the winter and spring quarters, and with academic progress measured by these agreed upon expectations, faculty will need to provide participants with direct and frequent feedback on their work. In addition to this feedback, we encourage faculty to discuss graduate school opportunities within their academic discipline. These discussions will help students identify scholars, either on campus or at other universities that share the students’ academic/research interests.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION

Students selected to participate in the Faculty Mentor Program must make a two-quarter commitment to course work, research and workshops. It is a serious commitment that will support the development of comprehensive research skills and experiences. Although demanding, the Program prepares students for graduate work at the doctoral level. Participation in ALL aspects of the program is mandatory.

Maintaining regular contact and communication with faculty sponsors is absolutely important. Relationships are developed over a period of time. Regular contact at supervision meetings, as well as follow through with responsibilities is key to establishing yourself as a reliable researcher.

Students are expected to participate in active advising through their Board of Study, EOP and with the Career Center. This advising will support students as they establish an academic plan that will develop necessary research skills and experiences critical to preparing for future educational opportunities.

Students will complete a final research paper and present their findings at the annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium late in the Spring Quarter. If selected to the program, FMP participants are expected to attend and participate in a two-quarter seminar, which includes weekly workshops, meet all course requirements and complete written assignments in a timely manner, meet regularly with the FMP instructional staff.

APPLICATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION

The FMP Application Filing Period is June 2, 2008. Applications are due no later than June 2, 2008 by 4:00 PM at the EOP Office (located at the Academic Resources Center).

Acceptance as an FMP participant is based on the quality of the application, applicants meeting Program eligibility, and is contingent upon finding an agreeable match between the research interests of the student and a UCSC faculty sponsor. Those selected to be the 2006 FMP Undergraduate Research Fellows will be notified at the end of November and fellows will be expected to participate in a mandatory Fellows Orientation (date and location to be announced).

If you need assistance on your application, please feel free to contact any EOP Academic Counselor or a Graduate Information Program Assistant at the EOP office. We encourage you to discuss your interest in the program with a Faculty Advisor, Department Advisor and/or your College Academic Preceptor. The best applications come from students that have seriously discussed how FMP fits into their preparation for future graduate study.

For more information about the program, please feel free to contact the EOP Office at 459-2296